Music

" A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement." (The National Curriculum)

Intent

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.  At Manor Park Primary Academy, we pride ourselves in delivering high quality music education which engages and inspires pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians.  This also increases  self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. We intend for our pupils to enjoy a dynamic and wide ranging music curriculum, thus increasing their cultural capital and promoting and teaching the appreciation of music in all its diversity, culture. 

By the time they leave Manor Park, we aim for our pupils to have developed their confidence and a lifelong love of music that builds through to the end of year 6.  We strive for our pupils not to feel inhabited in expressing themselves musically. As a result, pupils are prepared for any future musical eventuality by giving them a strong foundation in a wide range of musical fundamentals; this begins with positive musical experiences in the Early Years.  

Implementation

Every child at Manor Park Primary Academy engages in quality music education from their entry into Nursery until the end of KS2 in Year 6.  

At Manor Park we use the SingUp scheme of work as a basis for our music curriculum; this is shared and adapted by our Music specialists to incorporate learning of specific instruments and checked and agreed by the LEO Music Director. This ensures an ambitious, sequenced and progressive curriculum which meets the needs of all of our learners. Specific musical terminology has also been progressively mapped in line with the SingUp Scheme of work allowing pupils to knowledgeably discuss their learning and demonstrate their understanding of the musical elements.

Please see below for the Whole School Music Overview and Progression Map.

In the Early Years, music is incorporated consistently into daily routines and is used to enhance teaching of the core curriculum in addition to being taught as a stand-alone subject.  Teachers are confident in their teaching of music and have received training and coaching to support ensure high quality teaching and learning of the SingUp scheme. 

In KS1 and KS2, music is taught weekly for all children by Music Specialists. Years 1, 2 and 5 are taught by the Music Director; Year 3 and 6 are taught drumming by Rhythm Life Workshops; and Year 4 are taught by Sutton Music Service where knowledge and skills are developed and applied through learning to play a brass instrument. 

Throughout the school, pupils continuously develop their knowledge and skills to: 

• Sing & Play
• Listen & Appraise
• Improvise & Compose

Meaningful connections are often made between music and the wider curriculum such as dance, art and poetry. As a result, pupils are confident and able to use knowledge and skills such as rhythm and rhyme when writing and composing a rap in Year 3 for example.

Staff regularly check pupils’ understanding of new and previous learning; misconceptions are addressed in the moment and necessary adaptations made for subsequent lessons. As a result pupils know more, remember more and can do more. Teachers regularly update assessment of core learning using Arbor using feedback from peripatetic teachers where required. Consequently, gaps in learning are addressed and pupils needing further support are identified and adaptations for future learning considered.

As well as offering a high quality Music curriculum, we also offer the following opportunities that further enrich our curriculum:

• Termly instrument performances in Year 3 and Year 6 based on world drumming
• Annual performance in and out of school for Year 4 Brass 
• Choir clubs in KS2
• Peripatetic lessons from Year 2 – Year 6 including guitar, vocal, trumpet, saxophone, violin and p-bones
• Singing performances and assemblies in all year groups 
• Children to be taught by specialist teachers in KS1 and KS2.
• Big Sing music festival in Year 2 
• Christmas performances in Reception and Year 2 
• Carol service  for Year 3 and 5 and the KS2 choir 
• Music workshops in Year 6 
• LEO Trust and Borough Performances 
• KS2 choir visit to Yung Voices at the O2
• Year 4 watch a selection of the Philhaormia orchestra
• Year 5 visit the Royal Festival Hall to watch the Philharmonic orchestra
• Singing at a local church

Impact

Pupils are confident in their ability to play, compose and perform and, as a result, are enthusiastic in participating in music sessions. They are highly engaged and therefore talk positively about their experiences with music and can often be found on the playground rehearsing and practising what they have learnt.

Manor Park currently holds the Music Mark School Award for our continuous commitment to high quality music education. 

 View our award here.